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Monday, October 24, 2011

I love peacocks, I think they are strikingly beautiful with all of their vibrantly colored feathers - greens, blues, browns, oranges - a true natures palette.

Peacock is a bold pattern in both home decor and fashion right now. I wanted to show how using the peacock feather as inspiration in the decor of your room or home and have great results.

For someone who is fearless in their decor and want to really make a statement with peacock you may choose to paint your walls in a bold turquoise, wallpaper an entire room with peacock patterned paper or upholster a piece of furniture in a shade of green, orange or purple.

For most people, we want to use the peacock pattern or color palette as an accent only. A great way to do this is through a fabric story, infusing color in a few toss cushions, drapery fabric, on an accent wall or through accessories such as a vase, bowl or piece of art.

When using a bold color in a room or home, I suggest you temper the rich saturation or bold vibrancy of the color with whites and creams so that it doesn't overwhelm the space. We want to draw inspiration from the peacock not make everything in the room peacock!

Peacock is a bold pattern but as you can see in the photos you can incorporate any pattern or color that you love in a space - you just have to know when enough is enough.

In what way have you used bold pattern or color in your space? Please leave a comment, I would love to hear from you!

Thursday, October 6, 2011

At The Rustic School House we have a large covered entry that is fairly spacious. Sometimes spacious can translate into cold and barren. Case and point?

Yes, this has been what our front entry has looked like since spring - of last year. We have been busy the past two years working on the exterior of The Rustic School House - re shingling, new trims, staining, etc. Although the exterior is not quite finished, it's almost there and since we spent all spring and summer without a planter or even an exterior mat - I needed some outdoor decor!

This newly decorated entry brings a smile to my face every time I come home. It is very warm and welcoming. I love the mums, the pumpkins, the wreath - everything. The welcome mat has all the colors in our outdoor scheme so it ties right in.

The wreath was made from pine cones, the mums and planters were from the home depot. If you look closely you may notice that there is something different about those planters...yep, I took plain green cheapo planters and attached moss that we collected from the woods to them. It was super easy, fun and inexpensive - a great DIY!

Thursday, September 29, 2011

There are so many great fall wreaths being made with many different items from yarn to leaves and everything in between. I really like the rustic nature of using pine cones, and because pine cones are readily available in the forest around our cabin, we made collecting them a family adventure!

I gathered my supplies which included:

straw wreath form
can of brown spray paint
roll of harvest color ribbon
glue gun
glue sticks
lots and lots and lots :) of pine cones of various sizes

I began by spraying my wreath form with brown paint to ensure that any areas that didn't get completely covered by the pine cones, still blended in.

After the paint had dried, I began gluing the pine cones over the wreath from starting with the outer edge and continuing to the inside of the wreath. Any spaces that were not filled in I used small pine cones that I had gathered.

One I was finished affixing the pine cones to the form I made a bow with the ribbon. I really like the texture of the pine cones against the smoothness of the ribbon.

There you have it a rustic pine cone wreath for under $15!

Have you made a wreath for Autumn yet? What materials did you make your wreath out of ?

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Fall is here and I am sooo happy! I love making (and eating!) all the comfort foods one associates with fall such as stew, roasts, apple pie, etc. And of course partaking in fall activities such as pumpkin carving, raking leaves and hot cocoa by the camp fire!

Here's a few easy and inexpensive tips to help you welcome fall in your home:

1. Bring out the heavier weighted fabrics. Add a warm throw in cable knit or plaid to a favorite chair in the living room, or change your bedding to a heavier fabric such as flannel- and add that duvet or comforter!

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2. Add rustic, nature inspired touches such as pine cones, leaves, branches and cinnamon sticks to your decor and tablescapes. And of course light those wonderful scented candles we all have and enjoy so much!

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3. add rich colors of fall to your home either by painting a room or piece of furniture. You can also incorporate fall colors in simple inexpensive ways such as changing towels in your bathroom to a cranberry, mustard, or pine color.

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4. Fall cleaning. I know- it just seems like yesterday when we did the spring cleaning thing but nothing really makes me welcome fall more than a clean, fresh home.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

I was contacted in April by a client who had moved into her home and desperately needed help decorating it.

The first room she wanted to tackle was her personal home office. The client wanted a room that she could work in, that had girly/ feminine feel, was organized and most importantly finished!

We had a tight budget but I really enjoyed the challenge of finding fabulous things on a dime, reusing items that my client already had in her home and because she was so hands on the client worked on DIY projects that really added to the space.

Here are the before pics of the room:

and the after pics:

The book case built-in and valance was custom made and installed by Mr.RSH. Wrapping the valance in fabric, the bulletin board and adding ribbon detail to the side table lamp were DIY projects completed by the client and her friend. Pillows for the wing back chair were sent away to be made however they were not completed when these pics were taken.

The side table was an item the client had bought at a yard sale and had intended to use in another room but it worked in this space so we used it! I has lots of surface room for her lamp, books and a glass of water if she so desires. The lamp was originally in another room in her house but it was perfect for her office so we used it there instead.

The desk is actually a vanity that the client really liked and although it doesn't have a lot of storage for big items, she has a closet in the room in which we added a shelf, several co-ordinating baskets and a filing cabinet for storing her bulkier things such as files and paper.

This office makeover shows that you can have a space that you want without spending a ton of cash. This room was finished a head of schedule and on budget. Where we spent a bit of dough on custom touches such as the bookcase, we saved by shopping the house and buying accessories and furniture at discount stores. You simply have to be willing to trade off, get your hands a little dirty, and use your creativity.

If you like what you see and have a space that you would like my help with please contact me, I'd love to help!

Friday, June 3, 2011

As you may know, last year we re-shingled the exterior of The Rustic School House and began staining it however, the colder weather set in before we could finish. Now that the warmer weather is back (yay!), I have whipped out the 'ol stain brush and started staining again.

I have hated painting/staining for a long time. I always had to tape everything off and I would still manage to get paint where it doesn't belong including all over me! When I started my decorating business last year, and as we were doing more sprucing up of The Rustic School House, I decided that there must be an easier way to paint. A way to enjoy myself while painting and not make a huge mess in the process- I mean there are many people that actually enjoy painting.

After much research and trial and error, I have compiled a list of tips to help you if you find yourself with the same aversion to painting as I had.

1. Get rid of the edger gizmo's and painters tape.

Using as steady of a hand as possible makes a better finish than any of those edger products. The edgers are great at first until the rollers get paint on them or you apply too much paint and you end up with paint bleed all over your ceiling. Any painters tape I have ever used I have had paint bleed. There is a new painters tape on the market called Frog Tape that is supposed to have paint blocking technology, however I have yet to use it.

2. Use the best tools you can afford.

I have used all kinds of paint brushes and rollers in the past and I have learned the mantra "you get what you pay for" definitely applies here. I use a 2.5" Purdy Paint brush and I love it. Purdy brushes are handcrafted and are pricier than other brushes but the quality is worth every penny. Wash your brush out thoroughly after each use and if you do so, your brushes should last a long time. When using a roller to apply paint on a large surface area such as a wall, the higher the quality roller refill you purchase the better because it will hold the paint, and help ensure a more even coverage. Along with a good quality refill, a good quality extension and cage(what the roller refill goes onto) is worth its weight in gold. An extension pole simply twists into the base of the roller cage and helps you get the higher areas such as the top half of a wall or the ceiling in a room.

3. Keep your eyes on where you are going, not where you've been.

When painting always look slightly ahead to where you are going to be applying paint next instead of behind or at your brush. I find this tip has helped me tremendously with cutting around trim and baseboards so I no longer have to tape everything off.

4. Make sure you have a lot of paint on your brush.

Dip your paint brush no higher than 1/2 on the bristles. Scrape a little bit of paint off as to not have an overload of paint on your brush, and keep the brush wet with paint throughout the entire painting process.

5. Cleaning up is always a pain.

Do a little bit of work before hand so that it minimizes the work you have to do later. Always gather all of your supplies that you will need to complete the task or project and this includes any materials to aide in the cleaning up process. I like to use paint tray liners so that if I am using several colors of paint or stain I can save time by dedicating one tray to each color and when I am finished I can either wash and reuse them or throw them out if necessary. Use latex based paints and stains so all you need to clean up with is soap and water. Make sure that your rollers and brushes are cleaned thoroughly so next time you are ready to paint you have all your tools ready and are in good, clean condition.

I hope that these few tips will help you with your next painting or staining project and if you have any tips of your own please share them with me! I'd love to hear 'em!

Monday, May 30, 2011

Okay, so I am a little late since May is curb appeal month and here I am at the end of May writing this post. Oh well. It happens.

Anyway, at The Rustic School House we have been busy sprucing up our home and property and enjoying every sliver of sun we can get because it has been one rainy, dreary spring so far in Nova Scotia!

I wanted to share a few tips for improving the curb appeal of your home.

1. Use pre-finished, matience-free material whenever possible. These materials save time and money. When we were discussing a railing system for our deck we chose a vinyl system due to its affordability and matience free properties. Who wants to be painting their deck railing every couple of years? Not Me!

2. Mow/ Maintain your grass regularly. Our lawn is Mr.RSH's obsession. He mows it at least once a week and is a fertilizer, lime and lawn seed junkie (is there such a thing as Lawn Obsessives Anonymous?) Mowing your lawn regularly keeps it healthy and strong. If you have issues with your soil such as moss or bald patches ask a professional how to remedy these issues.

3. Weed/Maintain garden beds. A well groomed garden bed is a huge step in adding curb appeal to your property. After much reflection I have decided that with the exception of a new bed we are building in the front of our home and our veggie garden that will be it for the garden beds around The Rustic School House. One must know their weeding limits. I would rather have no garden beds than several that are over run with weed and look like a tangled mess because I cannot find the time to maintain them. Low matience shrubs and trees are always a great option for those that want to add color and variety to their property with out all the hassle of weeding and grooming.

4. Ensure drainage around your home is working properly and that your windows, doors and roof are keeping out the elements. Nothing is more damaging to a home than water .

5. Maintain the exterior of your home. If your home needs painting, staining or cleaning -do it! Nothing makes a home and property lack curb appeal than a house with flaking paint or dirty vinyl siding. Also, when choosing accents or accessories for the exterior of your home, keep in mind the style. For example if your house is of a Victorian era, choose your house numbers, lighting fixtures, entrance system, mailbox, etc. that is in keeping with this style.

6. Take your neighbours into consideration. When choosing a new color scheme for the exterior of your home, consider the color schemes of your neighbourhood. If your neighbourhood homes consist of mostly natural color schemes and you want to paint your house purple with green trim, that may be an issue. If you live in an attached home, speak with your neighbour about what changes you are thinking of making so that both homes look unified and in turn will increase the value of both properties.

7. Keep any outbuildings the same as or similar in color palette as your home. For example our home is yellow as is our shed and I even stained our dog Macgyver's house yellow! By doing this it gives the property a sense of continuity with no particular building standing out.

Monday, March 14, 2011

This past week has been a busy one at The Rustic School House as I have been busy freshening up our kitchen pantry. I wanted to update the pantry as inexpensively as possible, it needed a couple coats of paint and some serious organization!

Before

After

We are really happy with the results! I love how fresh and clean it feels.

I put a lot of thought into storage and purchased containers for cereal, pasta, etc. Everything is organised so that I can easily see what items I have in my pantry, what I am getting low on, and what I need to pick up at the grocery store.

My goal with this project was to update on a budget and I achieved that. The grand total of this kitchen pantry redo was $125.53 taxes included!

Pretty good huh? For that money I purchased paint, paint brushes, (I treated myself to a brand spankin' new Prudy brush - I am in lurve!) baskets and containers for storage.

If you have a small project in mind I hope you decide to complete soon. This pantry update shows that you don't have to break the bank to improve your space, one step at a time, one room at a time.

Friday, March 11, 2011

The temperatures are getting milder, the snow is melting and spring is on its way- yay! Although Fall is hands down my favorite season, spring is a close second. I love the first signs of spring- robins, tulips and daffodils.

With spring comes spring cleaning. I really enjoy spring cleaning- no I am not running a fever :) I just love a clean, fresh home - I mean, who doesn't?

Since becoming a mom I am far more conscious of what cleaning products I use in our home. I don't want to expose my family or myself to toxic fumes and products unnecessarily. So here's a few natural products that you can use today to make your spring cleaning and everyday cleaning a much more pleasant experience.

Vinegar- works like an all purpose cleaner is super cheap and naturally disinfects. Mix with water and you have a cleaner that works on windows, floors, counters, and fixtures in the bathroom. Worried that your house is gonna smell like vinegar? Don't be - the smell goes away as it dries.

Lemon Juice- hard water and soap scum doesn't stand a chance with lemon juice. It also works great to shine brass and copper. You can throw the peels down your garbage disposal to freshen the kitchen or combine lemon juice with a bit of baking soda to create a cleaning paste.

Baking Soda- absorbs odors in your fridge or freezer. I use baking soda as I would any commerical abrasive product. It always gets my kitchen sink sparkling!

Olive Oil- makes a great furniture polish when combined with lemon juice.

Borax- combine with lemon juice to use as a toilet bowl cleaner. It's great for removing stains.

Baby Oil- Use for shining your stainless steel appliances. I find that not only does it shine my appliances, it seems to repel a lot of the finger prints and grime. And that scent-wonderful!

If you are not a fan of mixing and measuring there are many natural commerical cleaners on the market now. The only commerical natural product I use is Murphy's oil soap (which I love by the way), so I am not sure if the other products are effective but if you have or do use 'em I would love to hear your opinion!

Do you have any natural cleaners that you use that I have not included? I am always looking for new tips and tricks- please share!

Happy Spring Cleaning!

BTW, stop by on Monday- I have a great before and after planned of something I have been working on all this week!

About Me

Hey there, I'm Kelly. I am a very proud mama to my five year old daughter Abigail Grace and a 7 year old chesapeake bay retriever, Macgyver. I work full time for Canada Post as a Postmaster in my rural community. We live in an old school house that we renovated and have lovingly named The Rustic School House. I enjoy getting my "creative on" with any kind of DIY project, and spending time in the great outdoors making memories with my family : hiking, camping, etc. I believe we can make our homes comfortable, warm, and inviting with a bit of creativity, and moxie - will you join me?